STANLEY HERBERT LAST
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 7th March 1917, Ipswich.
Died: 9th August 1941; age: 24; killed when his aircraft flew into the River Taw, south east of Chivenor Aerodrome, Barnstaple, Devonshire.
Residence: 14, All Saints Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Head Clerk and Accountant to a firm of Land Agents & Chartered Surveyors.
In his spare time, Stanley was a member of the Air Raid Precaution Medical Service – First Aid Parties, at Ipswich.
Stanley trained at No. 6 Flying Training School, at Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, flying in Tiger Moths and Avro Ansons. He was awarded his flying badge on the 26th March 1941, in a Beaufort Oxford. Stanley had flown 21.15hrs and 33.50hrs on Link Trainer, both dual and solo and including night flying.
Rank: Pilot Officer; Service Number: 62706.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Unit 5 Coastal Operational Training Unit.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 33.
Englefield Green,
Surrey.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Shepherd & Mabel Last; husband of Kathleen Rosa Last.
Father: John Shepherd Last, born 1876, Ipswich – died September 1930, Ipswich.
Mother: Mabel May Last (nee Godbold), born 1889, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 7, Seymour Road, Ipswich.
Stanley was 4 years & 3 months old and lived with his parents and brother.
John Last, 44 years & 7 months, a Railway Engine Driver for Great Eastern Railway Company – Loco Dept., Ipswich.
Mabel, 31 years & 2 months, Home Duties.
Percy John Last, 5 years & 6 months, at School, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Stanley was a Head Clerk and Accountant to a firm of Land Agents & Chartered Surveyors, and in his spare time was a member of the Air Raid Precaution Medical Service – First Aid Parties, at Ipswich. He was living with his widowed mother and brother at their family home – 6, Rectory Road, Ipswich.
Mabel, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Percy, an Engineer’s Progress Clerk.
1 other.
On Monday, 23rd December 1940, at Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich, Stanley married Kathleen Rosa Smith, a shorthand typist for an insurance company, born July 1918, Ipswich – daughter of Henry Arthur Smith, an Auctioneer’s Clerk, and Minnie Smith (nee Clark), of 14, All Saint’s Road, Ipswich.
Evening Star – 24th December 1940.
IPSWICH RUGBY PLAYER WEDS
Mr. Stanley H. Last and Miss Kathleen R. Smith
A former member of the Ipswich Y.M.C.A. Rugby XV., Mr. Stanley H. Last, son of Mrs. M. Last, of 6, Rectory Road, was married at Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich, on Monday, to Miss Kathleen R. Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Smith, of 14, All Saints Road.
The bridegroom, who joined the R.A.F. last July was formerly a District Cub Master.
A crinoline-style gown of white French ninon and silk spotted net over taffeta was worn by the bride, with an embroidered veil and a pearled orange blossom head-dress. She carried a posy of pale and deep pink carnations. Her grown-up attendants, Mrs. Eva L. Haerle (sister of the bride), and Miss Kathleen Radcliffe, were dressed in period gowns of American rose coloured cloque with star-shaped headresses to match, while four-years old Josephine Bailey, who carried the veil, wore a replica of the bride’s frock, with a poke bonnet and sash of American rose velvet. All carried bouquets of pale pink carnations. The small bridesmaid wore a gold bracelet, the gift of the bridegroom, and the American rose suede pochettes carried by the grown-up attendants were also the gifts of the bridegroom.
Mr. Richard E. Haerle was best man, and the officiating clergy were the Rev. H.W. Radcliffe and Canon C.O. George, Rector of St. Mary Stoke. The bride was given away by her father. The hymns were, “Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost” and “O Perfect Love,” and the organist, Mr. W.D. Warren, played the Bridal March from “Lohengrin and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.”
After a reception at the Crown and Anchor Hotel, the bride and bridegroom left for their honeymoon, the bride wearing a dark brown cloth frock with hat and accessories to match, and a mink marmot coat, the gift of the bridegroom.
Probate to Kathleen Rosa Last – widow.
Stanley is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.
9th August 1941
Aircraft: Bristol Beaufort I; serial number: L9953. Aircraft took off from Chivenor Aerodrome at 10:10hrs for Air-to-Air Firing training. Visibility was good and clear over the Air Firing Range. It was considered the inability to fly accurately by instruments, and therefore, control was lost in low clouds.
Crew:
Walter Fell; Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 26; R.A.F.V.F.
David Henry Wesley; Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 20; R.A.F.V.R.
Victor John Hall; Pilot Officer/Air Gunner; age 23; R.C.A.F.
The bodies of Walter Fell and David Wesley were recovered and laid to rest at Nottingham Southern Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.
The body of Victor Hall was laid to rest at St. Augustine Churchyard, Heanton Punchardon, Devon
Stanley’s body was never recovered, and he is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
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